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Hinckley designated for assignment; Villone recalled

A day after watching their bullpen implode against the Dodgers, the Nationals designated left-hander Mike Hinckley for assignment and recalled left-hander Ron Villone from Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday.

Hinckley had a tough time throwing strikes, walking 11 batters in 9 2/3 innings. His last appearance was on Wednesday against Los Angeles. Hinckley didn’t retire a batter and gave up two runs on one hit.

Villone, who was signed by the Nationals in early April, will be a middle reliever. He had a 2.35 ERA in eight games for Syracuse.

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